--- title: "Plaza Hotel Embarks on Four-Year Renovation of Iconic Marble Façade" url: https://newscentral.site/plaza-hotel-embarks-on-four-year-renovation-of-iconic-marble-facade/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Travel" published: 2026-10-16T15:26:47.000Z updated: 2026-10-18T05:46:37.954Z id: 83ed110c-df45-43f5-b5d7-b1cf318bfe06 source: "Conde Nast Traveler https://www.cntraveler.com/story/why-is-the-plaza-hotel-closing-the-story-behind-the-facade" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/plaza-hotel-embarks-on-four-year-renovation-of-iconic-marble-facade/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Plaza Hotel Embarks on Four-Year Renovation of Iconic Marble Façade The Plaza Hotel will temporarily close its doors for a four-year renovation of its iconic marble façade, focusing on repairing and restoring the rusticated marble façade of the hotel's base and lower levels. The Plaza Hotel, a New York City landmark for nearly 120 years, is shutting its doors temporarily as it embarks on a four-year-long renovation of its iconic marble façade. Located at the corner of 59th Street and 5th Avenue, just south of Central Park, the hotel stands out among the surrounding skyscrapers with its stout, eighteen-story structure. Its enduring presence in the cityscape is a testament to its rich history and architectural significance. Over the years, the Plaza Hotel has played host to numerous famous guests, including The Beatles before their groundbreaking performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, and even served as inspiration for Neil Simon's play Plaza Suite. Its elegant halls have also been featured in films such as Home Alone 2 and have been home to the fictional character Eloise. The renovation, set to begin in 2027, will focus on repairing and restoring the rusticated marble façade of the hotel's base and lower levels, which is more prone to deterioration due to exposure to the elements. This comes nearly two decades after a major renovation was completed in 2008. The Plaza Hotel's restoration efforts are being closely monitored by the Landmarks Preservation Commission to ensure the preservation of its architectural beauty. The commission is working in tandem with the hotel to manage the restoration process and preserve the integrity of the building's marble and historical details. As a registered landmark both nationally and locally, the hotel's façade and interior must be treated with utmost care during the renovation. Courtney Metakis from the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission emphasizes that the hotel's iconic French Renaissance-style architecture is an integral part of the city's skyline. The commission's involvement in the restoration process aims to prevent potential damage or alteration to the building's historic features. The restoration work on the Plaza Hotel's façade is being overseen by design firm HLZAE, which specializes in historic building preservation. The hotel's management has emphasized that careful consideration is being given to preserving the building's historical significance, as well as ensuring the safety of guests and employees. A key aspect of the restoration process involves meticulous planning and coordination with relevant stakeholders, including adherence to historic preservation requirements. This attention to detail is essential in maintaining a property like the Plaza Hotel, which requires delicate handling due to its architectural and historical importance. The restoration work itself will only focus on the marble surface of the building, but even this limited scope would have caused significant disruptions to hotel operations if carried out during peak periods. Imagine waking up to find drilling noises outside your window while trying to enjoy a luxurious stay at the Plaza, it's not exactly what guests expect when paying top dollar for their accommodations. The timing of the restoration work couldn't be worse, with many guests having made long-term plans that are now being disrupted by the hotel's closure. Take Christine Carney, who booked the Plaza for her wedding last April and is still sorting out down payments just weeks before the big day, it's a stressful situation to say the least. The Plaza Hotel's closure has forced couples to scramble for alternative venues for their weddings. Many have had to start looking for new locations in a short span of time, adding to the already stressful planning process. To support its employees during this transition period, The Plaza is collaborating with the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council to find new job placements for its 378 staff members. This initiative aims to minimize the impact of the closure on the workers and their families. In the meantime, tourists can still experience the luxury and charm of New York City's historic hotels by staying at nearby establishments such as The Sherry-Netherland or The Pierre, among others. --- Source: [Conde Nast Traveler](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/why-is-the-plaza-hotel-closing-the-story-behind-the-facade) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/plaza-hotel-embarks-on-four-year-renovation-of-iconic-marble-facade/